Sousa fumes as Machida advance to Asian Champions League final
JEDDAH: Tournament debutants Machida Zelvia booked their place in the Asian Champions League Elite final with a 1-0 victory over Dubai-based Shabab Al-Ahli that ended in controversy in Jeddah on Tuesday. Yuki Soma scored the game’s only goal in the 12th minute for the J-League outfit, who will face defending champions Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia in the final. Yet a decision by referee Shaun Evans to rule out a stoppage-time equalizer by Guilherme Bala prompted Shabab Al-Ahli coach Paulo Sousa to walk out in anger. “There was a goal that was scored and then it was canceled, this is a very technical mistake by the referee,” said Sousa. “Unfortunately this is what is turning football into rubble. It was a big mistake to choose this referee for this match. We deserved to be in the final and we deserve to play this important game.”
